Shine Magazine, Issue 9, October 2009 - Department of Education ...

66 Oct 09
Music Awards
Recorded music strikes a chord
Music teacher Gail Godber is as passionate about her music as she is about her pupils.
Gail Godber has been teaching music to students since 1981, and has been
an integral part of Spring Gully Primary School community since 1997.
Throughout her years at the school Ms Godber has encouraged students,
staff and community members to take an active part in the school’s
celebrated music program, which culminates in whole-school productions
featuring original songs penned and performed by her students.
In 1998, to commemorate the official opening of new buildings at Spring
Gully PS, Ms Godber composed a school song, which is sung each Monday
morning during assembly. In recognition of her contribution to the school,
one of its six houses is named Godber House.
Her passion and dedication to music was recognised most recently with a
win in the ‘teacher’ category of the 2009 National Awards for Excellence
in School Music Education. As part of the award Ms Godber will receive
a $5000 grant to further her professional learning in the field of music
education. She plans to use the money to help her pupils.
“Because we write original compositions, I am interested in honing
my skills with the music software program we have and recording the
children’s work for posterity,” she says.